Printing device for printing stickers on a continuous roll



g- 1963 c. B. HUPPERT 3,101,049

PRINTING DEVICE FOR PRINTING STICKERS oN A CONTINUOUS ROLL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 6 1961 s m L H D .0

6%Wles Aug. 20, 1963 c. B. HUPPERT 3,101,049

PRINTING DEVICE FOR PRINTING STICKERS ON A CONTINUOUS ROLL Filed Nov. 6, 1961 2 She ets- -Sheet 2 59 S .926 55/61 I j United States Patent 3,ll(ll,ll49 PRENTING DEVECE FUR RRENTENG STEQKERE' @N A CUNTENUQULQ R8121. Charles B. Hnppert, 1336 W. Birchwootl Ava,

Qhicags, ill. Filed Nov. 6, 1961, Set. N0. 15%,332 3 laims. (Cl. Till-25%) This invention relates to a printing device for printing on a continuous roll of tape.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a printing machine for continuously feeding the tape and imprinting thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a printing machine for printing labels secured on a roll of tape whereby the tape is fed forwardly and the imprinting of the labels is accomplished by a portable machine which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to operate.

Present day merchandising requiresthat the packaged product have the sales price stamped or marked thereon. In most instances the price is stamped by an inked hand-stamp directly on the packaged product. In a greatmany instances, due to material such as metal or plastic cans or containers on which the hand-stamp is impressed, the imprint is not clear or becomes smudged or obscure in handling and is difficult and sometimes impossible to read. The present invention overcomes these objections by providing labels formed on a continuous roll of tape which is fed through this machine and stamped with the sales price, after which the labels are detached from the roll or tape and applied to the packaged product. The imprinting by this machine takes place on a fiat surface. The label, which is preferably of paper stock, takes a good stamp impression and is legible forever thereafter. The stamping of the tags or labels and their application to the containers or goods is more rapid with the present invention than ink stamping directly on the goods or their packages, is much more positive, and reduces errors due to bad stamping. Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the foregoing character with a printing unit or stamp which is readily removable so that the type bands thereof may be properly set.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this description progresses. i

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view with the parts in printing position. 7

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view or FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view taken on line 33 of FIGURE 2. r

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but with the parts in retracted position and with the stamping unit in inking position.

- FIGURE 5 is a plan view taken on lines 5-,-5 of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken on lines 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a iragmentary perspective view of the tape and labels or stickers thereon, and

FIGURE 8 is a view of a modified form of tape that may be used with this machine.

With the present invention, a roll of tape generally indicated at It is used. This roll comprises a strip of paper 11 on which labels 12 having a pressure sensitized sunface 13 are applied. The labels are positioned on the roll of tape in a slightly spaced relation to provide a space 14 between each label so that the fingers of the machine to be described engage the rear edges 15 of the labels to advance the roll. The roll and labels are not part of this invention as same are of conventional con- 3 ,101,049 Patented Aug. 20, 19 63 struction and are commercially manufactured. After the roll of labels has been imprinted with this machine, the

labels are detached firom the tape by lifting same and the generally indicated at 18, which as here shown consists of a pair of spaced vertical walls 20 with a bottom connecting wall 21. The upright is secured to the base 16 by fastening member 22 passing through the bottom connecting wall.

Stationarily supported on the base 16 is a guide member generally indicated at 24 for guiding the tape. The guide member is channel shaped, having a bottom 25 and two spaced sides or upstanding flanges 26. The bottom of the guide member terminates at the front thereof in a widened rectangular shaped flat plate portion 28 which forms the platen surface. The guide member 24is secured to the base by a plurality of iastening members 27.

xtending upwardly of the sides 26 of the (guide member 24 are two pairs of spaced ears 30 and 32, each pair supporting a rod on which are pivotally mounted the links of a reciprocating frame generally indicated at 34. The frame 34 includes a pair of side members 36 joined by a front connecting wall 37. The side members 36 are widened adjacent the front. as at 38 and reduce to narrower portions rearwandly thereof. This 'frame is pivotally supported on two pairs of spaced links 49 and 42.

The rear links 49 are pivotally supported on the rear rod 43 through suitable openings in the lower end of the links 4% The rod 43 is supported in the cars 30 of the (guide member 24. The upper ends of links 49. support a transverse rod 44, which in turn is secured to the rear ends of the sides .36 of the irame 34. It will be seen that the upper and lower ends r the links 40 and 42 are enlarged and project forwardly of the longitudinal axis :of the links and said enlargements have openings which engage the rods 43, 44 and the front rods to be described, so that there is a free pivoting movement of the frame. The front links 42 are similar in size and shape to the rear links 40 and they in turn are secured at the lower ends to the rod 46 which is supported in the ears 32 of guide member 26, and at their upper ends to the rod 48, which in turn is secured to the sides 36 of the frame.

Sleeves 5b and 51 are secured respectively on the rods 43 and 44 between the links 46. A sleeve 52 is also, secured on the lower front rod 46, While, the upper rod 48 supports a pair or sleeves 54 spaced therebetween to accommodate the front end of an arm generally indicated at 56 which has a transverse opening whereby it is pivotally secured to said rod 4-8. Suitable cotter pins, shown but not specifically identified are secured to the ends of the four rods described.

The arm 56 is formed in two sections, 57 and 53. The front section 57 is pivotally secured to the rod 43 in the manner heretofore described. The rear section 58 of the arm extends for a portion of its length on the same longitudinal axis as the front portion and then curves downwardly as at 5'9. The two arm sections 57---5S have internally threaded bores 57'' and 58" to accommodate a threaded connecting member il having a central knob 61 and supporting a locking nut 62. The connecting member as is an adjusting member for adjusting the two arm sections relative to each other for the purpose to be hereinafter explained.

Rotatab'ly supported at the front end of the upright member 1% is a crank arm generally indicated at 64. The handle portion 65 extends exteriorly of the upright for manual engagement. The inner link 66 of the crank arm is secured to a pin 68 which in turn is secured to the curved end 59 of the section 58 of the arm 56. A spacer sleeve 69 is positioned on pines; A sleeve 7% is secured 'inkin'g of the stamp or printing occurs. This reciprocating movement occurs with each complete revolution of the 74 connected by a bottom cross-member 75. A shaft 76 extends between the upper portions of the side members 74 and carries several rotatable spools 77, each having a knurled disc 78 for rotating same. Conventional continuous ltype bands 79 extend around the spools and the bottom cross-member and same are positioned by rotating the disc 78. The upper ends of the side members '74 of the frame of the printing unit 72 have outwardly extending channel-shaped portions 80 which are adapted to be detaohably supported in slots 82 provided on the sides 36 of the frame 34. A removable pin 83 extends through alined openings in the sides 36 of the reciprocable frame 34 and in the frame of the printing unit to detachably lock the printing unit to said re'ciprocable frame.

The arangement of supporting the printing unit or stamp 72 so that same is readily removable from the frame 36 by first removing the pin 83 and then lifting the stamp 72 is a feature of this invention, as it permits the type bands on the stamp '72 to be easily reset with price changes, as required, and the like when the stamp 72 has been removed. Likewise, the stamp is easily and readily positioned into its secured position in the sides of the frame 34 by a reversal of the foregoing steps.

The inking unit, generally indicated at 84, is removably supported in the guide member 24 forwardly of the front rod 46 and immediately adjacent thereto. The felt of the ink pad is supported in a housing 85 which in turn is secured to a holder 86 of channel-shaped construction, with the opposite ends of the holder having upturned ears S7 friotionally engaging the end walls of the pad housing 85 to secure it thereto and spaced downwardly extending cars 88 to frictional ly engage the sides 26 of the guide member 24. The sides 26 of the guide member 24 are provided with cutouts 89 to accommodate the ink pad holder against movement.

The reciprocating frame 34 carries a pair of fingers generally indicated at 90 which are supported at their rear ends on a cross-rod 91, which in turn is secured to the rear links 40. As best seen in FIGURES 3 to 5, the fingers 90 comprise a lower section 92 and an upper section 93 adjust-ably positioned thereon. The lower section 92 has upwardly extending spaced ears 94 which engage the cross-rod 91. The upper section 93 is provided with slots 95 which are in alinement with spaced threaded openings 96 in the lower section 92. Threaded fastening members 97 are secured in the threaded openings 96 and secure the upper sections 93 of the fingers to the lower sections. The upper sections 93 are adjustable relative to the lower sections 92 for lengthening or shortening the fingers 90. Each finger is placed under a tension to urge it downwardly by means of a coil spring 98 on the rod 91. One end of the'spring engages a cross-bar '99 supported on the links 40' and the other end engages the fingers as indicated at 100. The forward end of each of the fingers,

which would be the forward ends of the upper sections 93, has a taper 101 and terminates in a downwardly ex- 4 sharp front edge i105. Suitable spacer sleeves 106 are supported on the cross-rod 91.

A pressure member generally indicated at 197 is supported in the gmide member 24 to rest on the paper as it travels, through the paper guide member. The pressure member 167 is fixedly secured as at 198 near the rear end thereof to a cross-pin 109, which in turn is secured to the sides 26 of the guide member 24. The rear of the pressure member extends upwardly and terminates in a finger engaging portion 11%.

A coil spring 112 is supported on the rod 169 with one end of the springengag ing the side of the guide'2'4- and the other end engaging the pressure member 1W to normally pivot the pressure member downwardly so that it will be urged toward the guide member, thereby placing a slight pressure on the paper within the guide member 'as the paper is fed forwardly by the fingers 99. As best seen in FIGURE 2, the pressure member has a narrowed portion along the major portion of its length so that the fingers 99 extend on the opposite sides thereof. The pressure plate widens as at 107' at the front thereof.

The roll of paper tape it with the labels 12 thereon is mounted on astem 114'which is secured to the upright 18 and the tape is fed forwardly into the guide member 24 under a roller 111 secured between the sides of the guide member and under the pressure member 107 to be engaged by the fingers 96 as the crank 64 is rotated to move the frame 34 and the fingers 9t) thereon.

It will be seen that a portion of the frame,'links and the side walls of the guide member form a parallelogram. The front wall 37 of the frame member 36 has an inwardly extending lip 116 to which is secured an inverted channelshaped member 117 which slideably receives'a strip of type 118 so that when the printing unit 72 makes a printing impression on the label, the type 118 will also print on the same label. The type may contain advertising, such as the name of the store or the like, as shown in the printed label of FIGURE 2.

In instances where perishable foods are packaged it is desirable for the purchaser to ascertain the date of the packaging and for such purposes an auxiliary printing unit or stamp, generally similar to stamp 72, is used. In order to support'two stamps, the sides 36 of the frame 34 are extended in length and the auxiliary stamp is removably supported on the sides 36 forwardly of stamp 72, in the same manner as is stamp 72. In such instances the inking pad is enlarged to accommodate the auxiliary stamp. Instead of using an auxiliary stamp, as aforesaid, the member 117 may be provided with two channel-shaped sections, one of which receives a strip of type 118 and the other a type designating the date.

An L-shaped member 120 is adjustably supported on the upright for engaging the side of the roll of tape 10.

The operation of this invention will now be described.

When the crank arm 64 is manually rotated, starting from the position shown in FIGURE 4, the reciprocating frame 34 is pivoted forwardly, the fingers'9t) engage the tape 11' at the rear edge 15 of the label 12 (FIGURE 3) and moves the tape forwardly to advance the tape in the' .34 from its printing position causing the fingers to move rearwardly therewith'but imparting no movement to the tape which remains stationary in the guide member 24 on the rearward movement of the frame. As the frame movesrearwardly the printing unit 72 will engage the inking unit 84 to become inked for the next printing operation. Rotation of the crank arm continues to feed the tape and to make the printing impressions on the labels. The tape, after it has been impressed, can be rewound on another roller, not shown, for subsequent use,

or the labels may be removed from the tape for immediate use.

In. lieu of using tape with spaced labels, the tape as shown in FIGURE 8 may be provided with spaced openings 120 for engagement by the fingers where the labels are positioned on the tape with contiguous ends.

The adjustable arm 56 permits varying of the impression by the printing unit and also compensates for wear of the inking unit.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing machine for imprinting labels adhesively and removably secured on a continuous roll of tape, said machine comprising a base, a guide member secured on said base and through which said tape is advanced, a reciprocating unit supported on said base, said reciprocating unit comprising an upper frame member and a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs secured to said upper frame member for supporting same, with the lower ends of said legs pivotally supported on said base, a printing unit removably supported at the forward end or said upper frame member, crank means connected to said reciprocating unit and adapted when rotated to reciprocate said unit, a finger secured adjacent the rear end of said reciprocating unit and adapted to extend into said guide member and engage the tape when said reciprocating member is moved forwardly to advance said tape through said guide member, a stationary inking member supported on said base above said guide member and engaged by said printing unit on the return. movement of said reciprocating unit.

2. A structure defined in claim 1 in which the crank means is manually rotated.

3. A printing machine for imprinting labels, which labels are on a continuous roll, said machine comprising a base of generally rectangular shape, a guide member secured on said base and through which said labels are advanced, a reciprocating unit supported on said base, said reciprocating unit comprising an upper frame member and a plurality of legs secured to said upper frame member for supporting same, with the lower ends of said legs pivotally supported on said base, a printing unit removably supported at the forward end of said upper frame member, crank means connected to said reciprocating unit and adapted when rotated to reciprocate said unit, a finger secured adjacent the rear end of said reciprocating unit and adapted to extend into said guide member and engage the labels when said reciprocating unit is moved forwardly to advance said labels through said guide member, a stationary inking member supported on said base above said guide member and engaged by said printing unit on the return movement of said reciprocating unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,699,505 'Nissen Jan. 15, 1929 1,715,290 Henry May 28, 1929 1,956,300 Putnam et al. Apr. 24, 1934 2,522,224 Hedinger Sept. 12, 1950 

1. A PRINTING MACHINE FOR IMPRINTING LABELS ADHESIVELY AND REMOVABLY SECURED ON A CONTINUOUS ROLL OF TAPE, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE, A GUIDE MEMBER SECURED ON SAID BASE AND THROUGH WHICH SAID TAPE IS ADVANCED, A RECIPROCATING UNIT SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE, SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT COMPRISING AN UPPER FRAME MEMBER AND A PAIR OF FRONT LEGS AND A PAIR OF REAR LEGS SECURED TO SAID UPPER FRAME MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING SAME, WITH THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID LEGS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE, A PRINTING UNIT REMOVABLY SUPPORTED AT THE FORWARD END OF SAID UPPER FRAME MEMBER, CRANK MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT AND ADAPTED WHEN ROTATED TO RECIPROCATE SAID UNIT, A FINGER SECURED ADJACENT THE REAR END OF SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND INTO SAID GUIDE MEMBER AND ENGAGE THE TAPE WHEN SAID RECIPROCATING MEMBER IS MOVED FORWARDLY TO ADVANCE SAID TAPE THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEMBER, A STATIONARY INKING MEMBER SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE ABOVE SAID GUIDE MEMBER AND ENGAGED BY SAID PRINTING UNIT ON THE RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT. 